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Feb. 13, 1951 R. F. sHoUP 2,541,553

VOTING MACHINE To FACILITATE STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING Filed Jan. '7, 1949'7 sheets-sheet 1 MMM@ R. F. sHoUP 2,541,553 VOTING MACHINE ToFACILITATE STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 13, 1951 FilelJan. 7, 1949 I N V EN TOR. Bem/50M f SHOM@ 3 5 2Q 5 t u, m 5, H P 2 .tma 5 m M0 V N .m EH f 7 V N m4 P m J7, f M A Jn TG W 7 um 0 4 IT Pmw 5UFT my OO HTM FBVA SMT mT .wm RMM GR mm w V m 1 9 1, L N, v wkw, n l luw k b. m nw QQ QQ@ A@ e l F n x uw Q Feb. 13, 1951 R. F. sHoUP I VOTINGMACHINE To FAGILITATE STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan.'7, 1949 Ww f, M w mw Feb. 13, 1951 R. F. sHoUP 2,541,553

VOTING MACHINE To FACILITATE STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING Filed Jan. '7, 1949'7 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 O l O INI/EN TOR. @m50/7 /F SHUP R. F. sHoUP27,541,553

STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

VOTING MACHINE TO FACILITATE Feb. 13, 1951 Filed Jan. 7, 1949 Feb. 13,1951 R. F. sHoUP VOTING MACHINE T0 FACILITATE STRATGHT TICKET voTTNG 7Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. '7, 1949 mm1/m T Patented Feb. 13, 1951 VOTINGMACHINE TO FACILITATE STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING" Ransom F. Shoup, Ardmore,Pa., assigner to The ShoupY Voting Machine. Corporation, Philadelphia,Pa., .af corporation of Delaware.

Application January '7, 1949", Serial`No269g674'f- 12 Claims.

' This'. invention relates to voting machines and more especially tovoting machines of the type disclosed in Shoup Patent No. 2054,1'02.

In` this type of. voting machine, there are severalvertical columns-.ofvoting spindles in combination with an interlock that can be arranged toprevent actuationy of" more than a selected number of spindles in anyhorizontal row or vertical column., Also for. each horizontalrovv ofspindles, there is a` slot through which a personal choice may bewritten in, such slot. being' norrnally` closedby a slide termed apersonal choice' slide: Eachpersonal choiceV slide also is capableotbeing connected to the interlock in such a manner that the` opening ofselected personal choice. slides prevents actuation of selectedindividualy voting spindles beyond a limited number until after themachine hasV completed its vote registering operation.

In some jurisdictions, at a primary general election of county, state ofnational officials, there is also an election of a large number of localoliicers such as ward committeemen. Likewise in the case, ofpresidential primary elections dele'- gates at largeand alternates inlarge` numbersv are to beselected. Generally in such cases each.;

party presents several groups, for example, ofV ward committeemen,delegates, delegatesat large, and alternates. Eachparty voter has theprivi` lege' of selecting any one of thegr'oups; of.' his4` party andvotingY a straight ticket for the selectedl group, or of votingindividually for candidates in the various. groups presented by hisparty, or

else hasA the privilege of splitting his vote among: candidates named inthe various groups and exercising personal choice options, or else hasthe:A privileges of exercising personal choice optionsV entirely alltothe limit of the number of candidatespermittedhis party for theoffices in question.

A principal feature and object of this invention is to provide mechanismapplicable to vot-- ing machines extant and of the character describedthat will enable a portion thereof` to be set up tomeettheserequirements.

A further principal feature and object of the invention is to providemechanism of this kind that is comparatively simple in construction andreadily applicable to such voting machines with-'- outthenecessity ofmaterial alteration thereof and which will comply with statutesgoverning such types of election.

It is another object and feature of this invention to providesimplemechanism applicable to voting, machines extant and' ofthe.character detion to provide simple mechanisms applicable to votingmachines extant and of the character described that will enable aportion or portions thereof to be; set .up` to meet requirements ofdeclared primary elections as Will hereinafter be explained.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent from the .following specification andV accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. l is afragmentary frontview ofthe voting machine illustrating themanner in which it is set up for the selection of a large group ofolii-V cers, such as ward committeemen;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear Viewy of the frame of. the voting machineshowing the position of parts as the voter enters the machine;

Fig. 2a shows; in elevation exploded views, on an enlargedscale of.details oi the mechanism involved;`

Fig. 3- is a fragmentary rear view of the frame..

of the voting machine showing the position of parts when thevoter hasoperated a straight ticket selecting lever toselect all of the group`Fig. 5a is a perspective view onan enlarged scale of. a detail` of themechanism involved;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear view of a modified form of construction;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary.I section taken along line 'l-'l of Fig. 6;

Fig; 8 is a fragmentary rear View of a votingv machine illustrating useof features of the invention inA selective'primary elections; and

Fig. 9 is e. fragmentary rear View of a voting machine illustrating useof features of the invention in declared primary elections. Y

In so far as practical, the reference characters used herein Willcorrespond to the reference charactersused in the. specication of ShoupVoting a portion or portions- Machine patents such, for example, asShoup et al. No. 2,054,102 and Shoup No. 2,191,086.

In the voting machine of Shcup et al. Patent No, 2,054,102, there areten vertical columns of spindles, a personal choice column of slides forwrite-in votes, and a main interlock together with interlock straps Vforconnecting to the main interlock both the spindles of columns one tonine, counting away from the interlock, and, also, parts associated withslides inthe personal choice column. Fig. 1 herein shows only nine ofthe columns and the personal choice column. Fig. 2 herein shows all tencolumns but not the personal choice column, while Figs. 3-6 inclusiveshow fewer of the columns, all counting away from the interlock. Theinterlock straps for the spindles of as many of the columns as are to beused in voting of the character to be described and for the personalchoice slides are preferably of the type shown and described in ShoupPatent No. 2,191,086 or Shoop Patents 2,251,254 and 2,251,255.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the spindles 38 are journaled at oneend in a plate 39 and at the other end are jcurnaled in vertical straps40. Each spindle is equipped with an operating handle 30 and is oisquare cross section except that it is provided with a circular groove38a to be received in a circular bearing provided therefor in straps 40,and with additional similar circular grooves 38h for other purposes,Each spindle 38 extends through and supports a channel member 60, theends of which engage the plate 39 and a strap 40 and the channel member60 is received within square apertures in two arms 59 and 53. The plate59a is attached to each arm 53 through the intermediary of the rod 59hwhich passes through a hole in the arm 59 and a slot in the plate 59d.The plate 59a is thus slidably and rotatably connected to the arm 59'and is, therefore, capable of being adjusted to difierent positionsrelative to the arm as fully described in said Patent 2,191,086. Byreason of the rectangular cross section of the channel member B and itssnug t on the square portion of the spindle 38, it is firmly secured tothe spindle for rotation therewith. Likewise, rotation of the saidspindle causes rotation of the arms 59 and 59. The arms 5B cooperatewith their reclosing frame 65 as described in said Patent No. 2,054,102and the arms 53 and plates 53a cooperate with verticallv andhorizontally movable members (not shown) and straight ticket votinghandles (not shown) in the manner described in said Shoup Patent No.2,191,086.

A counter C is associated with each spindle 38 and is provided with adrive pinion 43 having a square aperture through which extends thesquare portion of the spindle 36. The counter C preferably is ofconstruction described and claimed in the Shoup Patent No. 2,140,336.

Each rod 53h has connected therewith, one end of an interlock or pullstrap 6| leading to a main interlock 42 of a construction described andclaimed in Shoup Patent 2,191,086. In this interlock 42 are provided aplurality of interlock members 02, certain of which are tubular for thepurpose of receiving pins 63 extending through apertures in theinterlock casing for the purpose of fastening said members againstmovement relative to the casing of said interlock 42. Each interlockstrap passes between a pair of interlock members 62 and is provided witha wedge 64 for spreading the two members apart.

' In the wall I0, there is provided a vertical Acoiumn of personalchoice slots |39 with a slidable closure |40 for each slot, One of suchslots |33 is alined with each of the horizontal rows of spindles 38. Inback of the slots |39 is a guide table |41 over which passes a sheet ofpaper |42 from a feed roller |43 to a take-up roller (not shown). A yoke|50 pivotally supported on a vertical rod |50a is rotatedcounterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 5 by movement of anyclosure |40 to its open position and when actuated is returned to itsoriginal position upon return of the machine to curtain open position bymeans (not shown but fully disclosed in said Shoup Patent No.2,054,102). The yoke |50 cooperates with mechanism (not shown) toadvance the strip |42 a predetermined distance for each actuation of theyoke.

The rod |50a is supported by brackets |5013 attached to a vertical plate|50c in the shape shown in Fig. 5, and the plate |500 is provided with avertical series of apertures constituting guideways for links I6! whichat one end are attached to arms |60 pivotally supported by the rod |50aand each link is provided with a pin Sla connected to an interlock strap6 l Each of the arms |60 is provided with a head |60 projecting into aslotted channel-shaped runner 222 having a right angle extensionattached to a slide 223 supported by the wall l0. Each slide 223 is inalinement with a personal choice slot closure |40 so that movement of apersonal choice slot closure into open position swings the arm |60counterclockwise with consequent leftward movement of the correspondinglink |6| and its associated interlock strap 6| to bring the Wedgethereof between the rollers 62. Restoration of any actuated arm |60 andcorresponding closure |40 is effected by mechanism for that purposedescribed in the Shoup et al. Patent No. 2,191,086.

On each spindle 3B is located an arm or buttery B consisting of twoplates 8l and 82 having square apertures of proper size snugly toreceive the square portion of a spindle 38 and the apertures are soarranged that they register with each other only when the plates 8| and82 are oriented with respect to each other and are out of register whenthe arms coincide so that they can be locked in desired positions on aspindle`38, These arms forming the butterfly B are more particularlydescribed in the copending Shoup application Ser. No. 14,713 led March13, 1948, issued January 31, 1950, as Patent Number 2,496,106. A stud ornger extends from the butterfly B in a direction parallel with thespin-l dle axes. This stud 85, as described in the lastnamedapplication, operates to lock the two plates 8| and 82 together and forother purposes presently to appear.

To satisfy the requirements of specific laws re1- ative to voting of thecharacter described, selected of the individual spindles 33 in variousof the columns used must 'be so controlled that a voter can utilize themto vote a straight ticket for all the members of a large group in the column or columns and positions thereof allotted to his party. He mustalso be able to utilize others of the individual spindles 38 to voteonly for particular candidates named by his party in the said largegroup to the limit of the number of candidates allotted to his party.Also he must be able to split his ticket and vote for party-namedcandidates and personal choice candidates, all to the limit of thenumber of candidates allotted to his party in said large group, or elsebe able to vote all personal choice candidates in` lieu of named partycandidates in said large groups tothe limit all the columns o'f thevvoting :machine lo1 .the :number of candidates `allotted to :his ,partyvon the voting machine `he cannot vote in any-of the yother ways unlessbefore leaving the booth he resets various ofthe spindles38 .he hasoperated to .'sucha condition as will restore the count- Yers Cassociated with operated of the spindles38 to an unvotedr condition.lThe mechanism nfow to be'described Vsatisiies all 'of .theserequirements.

'.'lh'e mechanism for voting of the character vdescribedinc'uldeshorizontally disposed members 'or plates 605 having .lateral upper 1 andlower-.flanges 605e and 00512 'andl'a lengthsufcient to span the numberof voting columnsit .is :to control. vIn the embodiment shown, threesuch 'plates 605 'are .shown and 'each has -a :length sunicie'nt.torspan The plates -605 may. however, be of .any desired length so as5to span as many columns as are to 'be used. vrIfhe three plates areinterconnected to be movlable as a unit, 'for example, bythe locking-pins ormembers 606 extending between adjacent pairs of-the flanges605aand 6051). If desired, fewer o'r more plates 605 than three maybe Vusedand their widths may be as necessary and desirable Vfor particularvoting conditions. `Each plate v605 vis provided with verticallyarranged columns of generally rectangular apertures 601 so that a'spindle 38 may pass through each aperture. The left Wall-1608 of eachaperture as Vseen in Fig. `2 has an varcuate recess 609 at the bottomthereof. Each aperture 601 also receives `the pin or stud "85 associatedwith the butterfly B of the spindle v38 passing through said aperture.The vfunctionoi the particular shape ofthe apertures 60T lisas'delscribed in copending Shoup application, Serial No. 30,693, filedJune 2, 11948, issued February 2l, 1950, as vPatent Number 2,498,380.Other types of 'apertures may, also, be used. The vertically .arranged.columns of the apertures 601 of the in-'- terconnected plates E05 arealined and the num# lber `thereof in each vertical column is asnecessary for particular voting conditions. n Y

The vplates 605 .are retained yin longitudinally sl'idable position uponselected spindles 38 of selected"horizontal rows of such spindles `andare guided yhorizontally by appropriate retaining members. lThe latter,'for example, fin the 'embodiment .shown consists of 'strips 6I0. Thesestripshave'holes 'BI'I spaced apart distances 'corresponding to thoseofthe spindles 38 so that the strips may be mounted over appropriate'spindles 3'8finto abutment with the edges of flanges605a, 60527. Thesestrips v'6I40 'are prevented from rv'sliding' olf the spindles bylocking members 6`I2. Each of these locking members has r`an opening.BIJ through which the square sections of rspindles 38`may pass freelyand a .portion 6M shaped v'to tinto annular recesses'38b in any of thespindles 38. A'second recess 6I5 similar in shape Lto recess portion 6Mis 'provided on vthe lower edge of 'member VVSI2. The spacing betweenrecesses 6I`4 and 6I'5 is "equal to the vertical distancebetween any twospindles 38 ina vertical column. Memb'ers'6`I2 are slid onto theuppermost of ia'pair ci spindles 30 straddled by a member 6I0 'andithenmoved downwardly to 'cause the 'recesses '6M *and 6I5 to engage inthecorresponding recesses '38h inthe respective pair 'of spindles '38.'i/Th'esevmem- Abers SI2 are then nxed in placeby :bo-lts lor studsillthat are inserted through -holes 6I] in members 61| 2 fandscrewedsinto threaded :holes .6'I 83pmvdedlthe. me'mber. or strip "6ILO. flhenormazl position-ofl the spindles .-3.8 .is .such .that whenthe lock-ing `members SI2 are .fixed -in place on vany pair thereof asjust described the recesses 6I4 and 6'I5 `engage inrecesses 38h of thespindles involved and `cannot slide oif. The strips v6I0 have :laterallybent flanges 6I0a and 6I0b Athat respectively overlie .a flange 605D andunderlie a vflange 605a 'of plates 605. .'IWo or more strips 6 I0 andlocking members 6 I 2 are used on spindles 38 voi various of thevertical columns and hori zontal rows of spindles 38 involved and .theirbent -over flanges 6I0a, 6I0b 'provide horizontal ,guides vfor Ythevflanges 605D, 605a of Yplates -605 preventing .upward `or downward.movement .of the latter, while the edges of .anges 6051), 605'a of.plates `605 abut the rear faces lof the strips 6 I 0 and prevent their`movement-forwardly. :Butterflies vB behind `the plates 605 prevent movementrearwardly of the plates 605 on thefspindles 38finvolved. Other"equivalent `means for eiecting this result may be employed. A biasingspring 620 whose ends 62|, 622 are securedrespectively to afstud6I6a1screwed into `one lof theholes 6I8 of Jonefofthe vstrips 6I0and toa vstud 623 projecting fromzone of said plates 605 acts "to bias theplates 605 toward the right of Fig. 2. Otherwbias ing arrangements maybe used that will :accom plish the same zresult.

An `angle'bracket 630 'is `secured rto the flange 605aof `the uppermostof the V,plates 605. The upright part 63|y 'of this .bracket extends up-Wardly iso that its upper edge lies in the path 'of travel ofthe studs051` on the Ybutterflies Br .of the horizontal .row of spindles 38Tljustabove the uppermost horizontal row of hsuch spindles 38 that isstraddledl by .the plate or plates 605e.. The.,A bracket 630 in theembodiment'shown in Fig. "2` has a length `spanning ten vcolumns ofspindles 38. It may, however, be of any desired vlength to span'only asmany columns'as may be necessary. lEqually kspaced-apart recesses 633areprovided in the upper edge of arm 63|. Each of these recesses 633 hasan arcuate wall 633b and a straight wall 633a. lThe `recesses 633 areposi*- tioned so that, vin the normal position of the plates 605 underaction 'of biasing spring y620 and with the spindles 381' of the group`of spindles in `question in unvoted condition, a lrecess 633 lies inthe path of travel of each of studs "85T on the butteries Br of therespective spindles "381' in the row r of'spindles directly above theuppermost 'flange 605a. Whenany one of this lrow oi spindles 38risactuated by operation of its vote ing handle 301 to a voting position,the stud '85T of the actuatedfspindle 38T enters the recess 633registering therewith and 'acts with the arcuate wall 6331) 'thereof to-lock the plates v60511 .in the condition in Figs. 2 and z3. Thislocking'action on plates. 605 locks. out all or .selected of .thespindles 38 in the :horizontal brows of spindles V38 belowrowrastraddledby the apertures 601m' the plate 605 .for purposes presently to bedescribed. This horizontal row r of spindles 38T is termed hereafter thestraight ticket row of votingspin dles.

The spindles 381' of this straight ticket row 1f-ofv votingspindles allhave their interlock straps 6hconnected in a portion `42T of the maininterlock 42 'that is set up for a vote one'condition. ,.'lhus actuationof anyone of .these straight ticket row spindles 381' precludesactuation of any others of them. Theinterlock straps 6Ir. of thisstraight ticket row r of yspindlescouldof course, loe-'con'- nected in.la ,portion ofthe maininterlock l42 set up tb. avote-two orafvote-threeonotherjdesirable condition depending upon the number of candldates inthe group allotted to the voters party.

Assume for the purposes of illustration that the straight tickethorizontal row r of spindles is the one whose voting handles 301 lie inthe horizontal row 1" of Figs. l to 4 inclusive. These spindles 381- ofthis row furthermore are assumed to have their interlock straps 6 lrconnected in a vote one condition interlock 421'. Assume, furthermore,that party D has presented two groups of ten candidates each, whileparty R has presented four groups of ten candidates. Party Ds two groupsof candidates in Figs. l and 2 are shown set up in the nrst and secondvertical columns of spindles 38 counting away from the main interlock,while party Rs four groups of candidates are shown set up in the 4th,5th, 6th and rith vertical columns of spindles 38. The ten individualcandidates named in each group appear respectively aligned with anindividual voting lever 3U in these vertical columns in the tenhorizontal rows of spindles 33 directly below the straight ticket votingrow r. The plate 605 is positioned as seen in Fig. 2 so that an apertureE81 straddles each spindle 38 in all ten of said horiontal rows ofspindles 33.

In the normal position of parts as the voter enters the booth, allspindles 38 of the said ten horizontal rows, all spindles 381' of thestraight ticket voting row oi spindles and all individual voting levers38 and 3dr are in the unvoted condition shown in Figs. l and 2. In factall voting spindles and voting levers of the entire machine are in suchunvoted condition. The plates 6F35 are then biased under action ofspring B2i! to the right of Fig. 2 so that the studs 85 oi' thebutteries B of spindles of said ten horizontal rows lie in the arcuaterecesses 68S of respective straddling apertures Gill. At the same timethe respective recesses 533 underlie the studs 85T of the butteriliesBr. As soon as the voter enters the booth and closes the curtain anddecides to vote a straight ticket for the ten candidates named in groupIl of party Ds candidates, he operates voting lever Sr adjacent group IIof column 2 in straight ticket row r to a voting position. As seen inFig. 3, the particular spindle 38T thus actuated rotates butterily Brthereof from the substantially horizontal position shown in Fig. 2

to substantially the vertical position of Fig. 3.-

Its stud 85T then lies against the straight porltion 633a of recess E33which it has entered. The arcuate portions 633i) oi the particularrecess 633 entered (as well as all such arcuate portions (3335 of allrecesses B33) has a center of curvature and radius that is suicient topermit entry of the particular stud 851' upon the rotation of theactuated spindle 381` to its voting condition. The arcuate portions 633bpreclude any longitudinal shift of the plates 605 as soon as a stud 85Thas entered any one of said recesses 633 and been moved into the votingcondition of its butterfly Br. This particular arcuate portion 633bentered acts in this manner because the plates 395 are prevented fromupward and downward movement by the guiding members S i as previouslydescribed. In' consequence, the plate B is looked against horizontalmovement as soon as any one of studs 851 has been moved to a votingposition. In the case shown in Fig. 3, it is the stud 85r of the secondvertical column of spindles that has eiiected this locking action. Theresulting locking of plates 605 acts to lock out all ten horizontal rows0f spindles 38 below row r because the studs B5 of the said ten rows liein their respective arcuate recesses 609. In consequence, the voter isprecluded from operating any individual candidate's lia-me in any of thesaid ten horizontal rows be` low row 1'. 6h' of the row r spindles 38Tare connected to a vote one condition interlock 421, no others of thevoting handles 381 may be actuated to a voting position.

Should the same voter decide instead to -split his vote among the twogroups of his party D instead of operating any of the voting handles30T, he will operate voting handles 30 in either of the columns I and 2under groups I and II of party D. As soon as any one of such votinghandles 3a is moved to a voting position, the butterfly B of itsassociated spindle is moved to a voting position. This causes the studthereof to move out of recess 609 of its straddling aperture 601 againstthe biasing action of spring 620 and onto the straight portion EHS ofsaid aperture. In such movement, a longitudinal shift oi all plates 605is effected toward the left oi Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This longitudinal shiftof plates 605 likewise shifts the angle bracket 631 leftwardly, movingall recesses 633 out of register with their overlying studs 85T. Thesaid studs 85T rest then upon the upper edge EBla of angle bracket 83|.This acts to lock out all spindles 38T in the row r of voting spindleswhose studs 85r so engage said upper edge 63m because guided plates 605cannot be moved vertically. However, since plates 605 have been shiftedlongitudinally as described the unvoted of the voting spindles 38 of thesaid ten horizontal rows are still free to be moved to voting positions.To preclude any op-y eration oi these handles 3Q of the said spindles 38for more than the allowed number of candidates in the party Ds group,the interlock straps iii of the voting spindles 38 vof said tenhorizontal rows are connected in a vote ten condition interlock 42e.Thus voter having elected to split his ticket among the candidates ofthe group can operate any ten of the spindles 38 opposite individualnames of his party Ds group to a voting position but no more than ten.

As a further alternative, the voter may decide to exercise a personalchoice option allowed to him under election laws. To this end, strips635 are secured to the plates 685. These strips 635 are aiinedrespectively With the horizontal rows of apertures El and extendhorizontally and leftwardly as seen in Fig. 5. Each strip 635l is bentlaterally at 636 and then again into parallelism at 631 with its body635. The edge 638 is provided in parallel portion 637 to lie against thepin 6 la of the personal choice mechanism in the same horizontal row asthat of the apertures Bill with which the strip 35 is alined.

Since the strips 635 are secured to the plates 605, disposition of theiatter depends on the positions of pins Gla. As seen in Figs. 5 and 1with the personal choice slides |40 that are alined with the spindles 38which are straddled by plate 605 in unvoted condition, the plate 6515 isin the condition of Fig. 2. As soon, however, as the voter moves any oneof the aforesaid personal choice slides |40 to an open oi write-invoting position, its associated pin Sla moves likewise and causeslef'tward movement of plates $95 to a position similar to that shown inFig. 4. This acts to lock out all spindles 38T in the row r of spindlesvbecause of the consequent lateral shift of recesses B33 to the positionshown in Fig. 4. The interlock straps 6I of the pins Sla are alsoconnected Likewise, since the interlock strapsy i9? in the vote tencondition interlock 42e. VThus after having operated any one of theaforesaid personall choice'slid'es |40 to its open or write-in voi-ingposition, thev voter is privileged to operate either nine more personalchoice slides |40, or nineof the voting handles 3|) in the said ten rowsof spindles 38, or any combination of additional'v personal choiceslides |40 and voting handles 30 to a total not exceeding nine. Thetotal` vote cast by him then will be for ten candidates of hisownchoosing.

The'apparatus shown assumes that each group consists of ten so that theinterlock portion 42e isset up for a vote ten condition. It is notlimited' to such a situation, however, andY fewer or larger numbers ofcandidates may appear in a partysgroup. The interlock 42e can be set upto' accommodate any size group required.

l The same operations would be available to the voter of party R,-'heusing any one of the Voting handles 301'V in, for example, verticalcolumns 4, 5; B or 1 for a straight ticket vote of anyone ofL thefourgroups named by his party, or else theindividual` voting leversl 30 in'any ofv said; fourvertical columns below the straight ticket rowr r, orelse a combination of such levers 30 and saidA personalchoice slides |40in the said horizontal rowsV below to the limit of ten if the interlockportion 42e is set up for a1 vote ten condition or to any other votecondition to which it may be set up. It is understood, of course, thatthe angle bracket 630 is long enough to span the columns 4, 5, 6 and 1and has slots |533` located therein for action with respective of thestuds 85rof the butterflies Br in said columns 4, 5, 5 and 1 (see Fig.2).

It is seen, therefore, under conditions described, the mechanismcomprising plates 605, apertures 601, bracket B30, strips B35 andassociated parts compel the voter to comply with election laws in votingof the character described.

In an alternative form of construction shown in Figs. Gand '7, the anglebracket 630 is omitted. Instead the plates M35'A which correspondidentically: with plates 605 are provided with a stud 640. This stud 640is connected by an interlock strap 6 I.' to a supplemental interlock 42of iden` tical constructionI with main interlock 42. This supplemental'interlock is set up for a vote one condition. A flange 64| extendinglaterally rear--Y wardly of the plates |505k and vertically the fulllwidth thereof abutsthe pins Bla of the personal' choice slides alinedwith the horizontal rows of spindles. 3|!V straddled by plates B05.The.`biasA ing spring 642 has its ends B43 and 644 connectedrespectively tothe flange 64| and to the partr |580. This springfunctionsin the same wav as biasing spring 62.0. studsV 851' of the rowr of spindles are connected to. this supplemental interlock 42 in thesame vote one portion thereof instead of being connerted in the meininterlock 42. All other lparts ofthe .machine in these Figs. 6 and larev identical. inconstruction with parts similarly num-- bored invarious of the other iigures and function `in the same way. With thismodication if the voter moves one of the spindles 38W in thestraightticket rowv r to voting position its intere lock strap 6|'racting in the vote one portion ofsupplemental interlock 42 locks out allothers of@ spindles 387 and also locksv out plates 605 soglthatnoneofthe individual candidate voting spindles 38 straddled by plates 605'can be actuateia At the same time personal choice slides tllf-. ol1ned'with .these straddled spindles camiotv The interlock straps 6|"r of the-10 bel activated because theirl pins Bla engage thev flange 64| ofthelocked out plates. 605. If, in-.. stead of opera-tingone ofthe spindles38r inthe row 1" of'spindles, hefoperates one of the personalchoiceslides alned withthe straddled. spindles. 38'to a write-in votingposition, thisaction causes its pin Bla toy shift plate 605' to the leftof Figs.. 6 and 7. Similar action occurs if he operates one of thestraddled spindles 38.tol a voting'position.;v This shift actsl to l'ockout alll spindles. 38'1' bee cause interlock strap 6|. of the shiftedplate 605'. isconnected tothe same vote one portion ofthesupplementalinterlock 4.2' as the interlock straps 6|.r. rIhus` no. straight ticketrow of spindles. 38'r may be actuated to a votingcondition. The voter,however', still remainsv privileged to op' erate either nine morepersonali choice slides itil.v or nine of the voting spindles 38: in theten rows oi` spindles" 38 below the straight ticket row r'i'of spindlesorany combination of` additional per.` sonal choice. slides; |48 andspindles 38r of: Said tenA rows; to a total not exceeding nine; because'the main interlock portion 42e; in which the interlock straps 8|of'thesespindles 38 and personal choice; slides |40 is set up for a voteten condition.; The vote condition of this portion 42e of; the. maininterlockimayfbeset up for anydesired vote condi-tion depending upon thenumberfof candi-y dates that appear iny a partys group.

Thus` in this modiiication of Figs. 6 and 7, the mechanism comprisingplates 605" andy main in,-A terlock` portion 42e and supplementalinterlock 42 and associated parts also compel the voter to comply withelection laws in voting; of the character described.

It is possible to utilize l platesy like plates 6.05' for selectiveprimary elections. wherein a voter entering the booth isv confined tovoting only for candidates of a given party once he has voted for anyone candidate of that. party. Thus,v referring to Fig. 8 and assumingthat two political parties are represented at a selective primary`election and all thecandidates of party D are inselected horizontal.rows of two vertical columns of the machine` and all the'candidates ofparty R are in selected: horizontal rows.v of two other: verticalcolumns of the. machine, two separateV plates` BUBD'and- 605B. (Fig. 8)areV provided. These; plates are identicall in construction with plate605; except that each `plate is designed to span respec tively; only thevertical columns of the machineA containing Vnames of party candidatesof one of the two politicalparties in question. of`v these plates. hasapertures 601. identical` with those'of' plate 605 forA the samepurposes and each is supported on/the spindles straddled byy its".apertures in similar manner to plate 685. Eachplat'eiBDED and DSR isprovided with a stud 653; Each stud" 850 is connected by an interlockstrap.: 6|v to the-'supplemental 'interlock 42k which is setup 'for avote vone condition. Thus, if avoter operates to a votingv position oneof the. voting spindles 38. in one of the two vertical columns of partyDs candidates straddled by plate 605D,y this operatedy spindle 38' actsthrough the stud on its buttery B tov shift the latter" plateto the leftof Figg.V Because the interlock straps. 6| of both plates B|l5D 4andBUSR are connected to the supplemental interlockI 42 which i`s-set upfor a' vote vone condition/the leftward' shiftv of plateI 605D locks outor precludes any shift.

ofl plate GBSR.' YIn consequence, only additional 'spindles 38 in? thecolumns ofl party Dsl candidates'can be actuated because the locking'outEachV party Rs columns straddled by the apertures of plate 605B. Viceversa, if the first spindle 38 operated by the voter is in the columnsof party R's candidates, this action causes its stud 85 to shift plate605B leftward of Fig. 8 and acts to lock out plate 685D in the same wayand thus locks out or precludes Voting action of spindles 38 straddledby apertures of plate 885D in the party Ds columns of spindles. After alocking out of one of the two plates 805D or 605B is eiected as justdescribed, the voter may continue to actuate individual voting spindles38 in the columns of the party for whose individual candidate he firstVoted to the limit permitted by the vote condition set up of the maininterlock 42 to which the interlock straps 6i of the individualstraddled spindles 38 in the partys columns are connected.

It the voter desires to vote a straight ticket, he operates the spindle381" in the straight ticket row r of candidates. The interlock straps6lr" attached to the studs 851' associated with these spindles areconnected in the same vote one portion of the supplemental interlock 42'as the interlock straps 6| which are connected to plates 605B and 685D.The first such spindle 381'" operated causes its associated stud 85T toenter the underlying slot 633 of and lock out the plate 685R or 685Dwith which the particular slot 633 is associated. At the same time theinterlock strap connected to the stud 85T" that has been actuated movesin relation to the supplemental interlock 42 to lock out movement of theother plate. Thus both plates 605B, and 685D are locked out by operationof any of the spindles 381'" in the straight ticket row r" and noindividual spindles 38 in either of the partys columns below thestraight ticket row r can be actuated.

In some jurisdictions declared primaries exist wherein the voter priorto entering the booth is required to declare his party afiiliation andis allowed to vote only for candidates of the party in which he isenrolled. The plates 685D and 605B are readily adapted for such purpose,it being only necessary as seen in Fig. 9 to provide each with aseparate additional stud 65|. Each stud 65| is connected to anindependent operating member 652. Each operating member 652 extendsexternally of the machine and is operable independently by an electionoiiicial. Thus, if `a voter is enrolled in the party D, prior toentering the booth, he so declares and the election official operatesmember 652 connected to plate 685D to cause the plate '605D to shift theleft as seen in Fig. 9. Because the interlock straps 6|' oi plates 605Dand 605R are connected to the supplemental interlock 42' which is set upfor a vote one condition. the shift of plate 605D' to the left by actionof the election official acts to lock out plate BUSR and therebyprevents the voter from operating voting spindles 38 straddled byapertures of plate 685R in the party Rs columns of candidates. Viceversa, if the Voter were enrolled in party R the election oilicial wouldoperate member 652 connected to plate 685R to cause it to shift to theleft of Fig. 9 and thereby lockout plate 685D and all voting spindles 38straddled by apertures of that plate 6n5D so that the voter could thenonly vote for candidates in the columns of party R. It is understood. ofcourse, that the individual voting spindles 38 are connected to portionsof the main interlock 42 by interlock straps 6i in the usual Way andthat the vote by the voter of individual candidates in the declaredparty is limited by the vote condid tion set-up of the main interlock 42to which the interlock straps 6I of the aperture straddled spindles 38of the partys candidates are connected. i

It is to be understood that the individual party plates 605B, or 605Dare dimensioned to span only as many vertical columns as a partyrequires. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 8 and 9 each spans twovertical columns. Voting conditions at any particular primary election,however, will determine how many vertical co1- umns and how manyselected spindles in horizontal rows in the selected vertical columnsare to be straddled by each individual plate 605B' or 605D.

It is to be understood that if more parties are represented at primaryelections, more platesl like plates 685D and 885B are required, one suchplate being required for each additional party's candidates. All suchadditional plates wouldI have an interlock strap connecting it to thesupplemental interlock 42 set up for a vote one condition so that themovement of any one of: the plates in the manner described would lockout all other plates.

While specific embodiments of the inventionhave been described,variations in structural de-I tail within the scope of the claims arepossible and are contemplated. There is no intention.,A therefore, oflimitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is: l

1. In a voting machine of the character de-` scribed having a pluralityof vertical columns of individual voting spindles,y with corresponding,-

spindles in the columns arranged in alined horizontal rows, mechanismfor utilizing selected of the spindles in one of said horizontal rows asstraight ticket voting levers for group voting and for utilizingspindles in rows and columns belowy said one of said horizontal rows forindividual voting, said mechanism comprising a plate mem' ber straddlingselected rows and columns of the spindles below said one of saidhorizontal rows and having apertures to receive the spindles of thelatter named selected rows and columns and a bracket member secured tosaid plate member, said bracket member having recesses, projectingymeans carried by each of the spindles for movement therewith upon itsmovement to a vote indicating position, the said recesses beingv alinedrecess and thereby lock said plate member* against movement, and saidbracket member having a portion engageable with said projecting means ofsaid one horizontal row of spindles when said recesses are misalinedwith the latter namedV projecting means to lock out said spindles insaid one horizontal row of spindles, biasing means to maintain thenormal alinement of said recesses' and respective of the projectingmeans, and the' projecting means of spindles received by aper tures ofsaid plate member each normally en` gaging an edge of the aperturethrough which a particular spindle is received.

2. A device as per claim l in which each saidprojecting means comprisesa butterfly mounted on a spindle and a stud extending from saidbutterfly.

3. A device as per claim 1 in which each aperture has an arcuate portionnormally to receive marinus 13 ene or said projecting means and astraight @sided 'portionfadjacent the" arcuate position.

4. A device Aas perf-'claim l in vwhicheach-said recess has a curvedportion and a straight sided portion.

5. In a voting 'machine of the character described having a plurality ofvertical columns o1" individual voting spindles, 'with correspondingspindles in the columns arranged in alined horizontal zrows, .mechanismlfor `utilizing selected of the spindles in one of said horizontal `rowsas straight ticket voting leversfor group voting `and 'for utilizingspindles in rows and columns below said one of said horizontal rows forindividual voting, said mechanism comprising a plate member straddlingselected rows and columnsA of the spindles below said one of saidhorizontal rows and having apertures to receive the spindles of thelatter named selected rows and columns, and a bracket member secured tosaid plate member, said bracket member having recesses, projecting meanscarried by each of the spindles for movement therewith upon its movementto a vote indicating position, the said recesses being normally alinedto underlie respective of the projecting means of the said onehorizontal row of spindles, biasing means to maintain such alinement,and the projecting means of spindles received by apertures of said platemember each normally engaging an edge of the aperture through which aparticular spindle is received, each said projecting means comprising abutterfly mounted on a spindle and a stud extending from said butteriiy,and each aperture having an arcuate portion normally to receive one ofsaid studs, and a straight sided portion adiacent each arcuate portion,and each said recess having a curved portion and a straight sidedportion. and guiding means for said plate member whereby movement of anyof the spindles in said one horizontal row of spindles to a votingposition will cause the stud of its butterfly to engage in the curvedportion of the recess underlying it and lock said plate member in itssaid normal position thereby precluding operation of selected of thespindles straddled by said plate member, and

whereby movement of any of the straddled spindles to a voting positionwill misaline recesses normally underlying studs of spindles of said onehorizontal row of spindles relative to said studs thereby locking outsaid last-named spindles.

6. In a voting machine of the character described having a plurality ofvertical columns of individual voting spindles, with correspondingspindles in the columns arranged in alined horizontal rows, mechanismfor utilizing selected of the spindles in one of said horizontal rows asstraight ticket voting levers for group voting and for utilizingspindles in rows and columns below said one of said horizontal rowsforindividual voting. said mechanism comprising a plate member straddlingselected rows and columns of the spindles below said one of saidhorizontal rows and having apertures to receive the spindles of thelatter named selected rows and columns, and a bracket member secured tosaidplate member, said bracket member having recesses, projecting meanscarried by each of the spindles for movement therewith upon its movementto a vote indicating position, the said recesses being normally alinedto underlie respective of the projecting means of the said onehorizontal row of spindles, biasing means to maintain such alinement,and the projecting means of spindles reil ceived 'by apertures of Asaidplate `'member 'each normally engaging an edge of the aperturefthroughwhich a vparticular spindle is received,

'said bracket member being an 'angle bar secured y `to said plate memberand having "an upright portion in which said recesses are located, saidupright portion beingdimensioned to engage the projecting means of thespindles of said .one horizontal row and preclude movement of any Adisuch spindles when the said recesses are mis- Aalined'with the latternamed projecting means;

- A device as'per claim l in which said brackiet-fmember -is an anglebar secured to said plate member and dimensioned to span a plurality ofthe said vertical columns of spindles, and has an upright portion inwhich said recesses lare l'ocated' said recesses corresponding in numbertothe number di said vertical columns of spindles that are spanned.

8. A device as per claim l in which said plate member spans all of thesaid vertical columns of spindles.

9. In a voting machine of the character described having a plurality ofvertical columns of individually operable Voting spindles, withcorresponding spindles of the columns arranged in alined rows, platemeans mounted on selected rows of said spindles and having apertureseach to receive a spindle in said selected rows, a multiple vote set-upinterlock, interlock straps connecting each of the spindles in theselected rows in said interlock, a one vote set-up interlock, interlockstraps directly connecting each of the spindles in the row directlyadjacent said selected rows with said last-named interlock, and lockingout means associated with said plate means and the individual votingspindles in the row of spindles directly adjacent said selected rows ofspindles, said plate means and said locking out means interacting topreclude voting movement of any of the individual voting spindles insaid adjacent row when a spindle in said selected rows has been actuatedto a voting position, and likewise to preclude voting movement of any ofthe spindles in said selected rows of spindles when any one of saidindividual voting spindles in said adjacent row has been actuated to avoting position, said locking out means comprising a member secured tosaid plate means and having recesses at spaced-apart points, projectionscarried by the spindles of said adjacent row, said member having an edgeengageable with said projections and said recesses being positioned tolie alined with said recesses to permit the entry of the projectionsinto said recesses upon movement of any of the spindles of the saidadjacent row to a voting position, and said edge being engageable withsaid projections to preclude movement ofthe spindles of said adjacentrow to a Voting position when said recesses are misalined with saidprojections, the misalinement being eiected by movement of any o1 thespindles in the selected rows of spindles to a voting position.

l0. A device as per claim 9, including personal choice slides alinedwith the selected rows of spindles, and wherein said locking out meansis also associated with and interacts with those personal choice slidesthat are alined with the spindles in the selected rows of spindles topreclude voting movement of any of said individual voting spindles insaid adjacent row of spindles when any of the latter named personalchoice slides has been operated for vote recording purposes.

ais/11,559

15 U11. A device as per claim 10, in which said locking out meanscomprises interlock straps connecting the personal choice slides alinedwith the spindles in said selected rows of spindles and also spindles insaid selected row of spindles in the multiple vote set-up interlock.

12. In a device of the character described, a plate member havingapertures arranged in columns and alined rows, each aperture beinggenerally rectangular in shape and having an arcuate recess in one sidewall thereof adjacent its bottom, a bracket member secured to said platemember and extending outwardly of an edge thereof and having an outerrim extending in parallelism with the alined rows, said bracket l5member having spaced-apart recesses extending inwardly from the rim withone recess alined with each of selected columns of apertures of theplate member, and each recess having an arcuate wall and. a straightwall with the straight wall extending substantially vertically of saidrim.

RANSOM F. sHoUP.`

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,541,553Februa-ryl, 1951 RANSCM F. SHOUP It is hereby certified that error'appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patentrequlring correction as follows:

Column 11, line 55, after the Word shift insert to; column 13, line 2,for position77 read portion;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, sothat the esame may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent.Oloe.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of May, A. D. 1951.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommssz'oner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,541,553 Februaryl, 1951 RANSOM F.SHOUP It is hereby certified that error'appears in the printedspeeication of the above numbered patent requiring correction asfollows:

Column 117 line 55, after the Word shift insert to; column 13, line 2,for position read portion; and that the said Letters Patent should beread as corrected above, so that the isa-Ine may conform to the recordof the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of May, A. D. 1951.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant ommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

